Medication Effects on Longevity

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@optispan Related episodes: People are GETTING THIS WRONG about Supplements & My Supplement List | 17 - Healthspan Medicine #2: https://youtu.be/_UXk_ynCNUs Transforming Our Understanding of Healthcare Through Geroscience | 11 - LS #4: https://youtu.be/LCPvF-SlZIU We typically think of prescription drugs as targeted treatments designed to address the underlying mechanisms and biochemical pathways associated with specific diseases or conditions. For example, healthcare providers commonly prescribe statins that lower cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular disease risk by inhibiting the enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Similarly, doctors might prescribe antibiotics to target bacterial infections by disrupting the bacteria's growth or killing them outright. But prescription drugs may have multiple uses or indications beyond their original intended purpose. A recent preprint from the biotech startup EPITERNA describes a study exploring the link between prescription drugs and human lifespan. Researchers analyzed more than 40 years of prescription drug data from over 500,000 patients in the UK Biobank to examine how commonly prescribed medications affect mortality risk. Many drugs have negative consequences for lifespan for reasons that include drug resistence, drug dependency, and side effects such as organ damage and immunosuppression—but a number of drugs actually appear to be beneficial for longevity. In this episode, Matt goes over the study's top-performing drugs for lifespan, and discusses how we might interpret and extend these intruiging findings about common prescription medications. Producers: Tara Mei, Nicholas Arapis Video Editor: Jacob Keliikoa DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Optispan YouTube channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices. More places to find us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/optispanpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/optispan Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberlein Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optispan https://www.optispan.life/ Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it. On this channel I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these videos helpful!